Deacon James Richard Edwards' Obituary
James Richard Edwards was born in the segregated south in Tupelo, Mississippi on December 7, 1936, to the union of Aquilla Woodruff and Robert Edwards. During his early years, their family lived near extended family in Blue Springs, Mississippi. Later, the family relocated to Falkner, Mississippi where he received his primary education. In the late 1950s, after graduating high school, James attended the prestigious Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi where he studied agriculture.
In 1960, James relocated to Michigan to be closer to a sister, aunts, uncles, and cousins that resided on the west side of Detroit. This extended family introduced him to Aijalon Baptist church where he joined and remained dedicated for 65 years under seven pastors and minister leads. During this time, he was passionate about mentoring younger deacons, along with visiting and counseling the sick and shut in.
James served faithfully for 60 years as a Trustee, Vice Chair and Chairman of the Deacon board. During this time, he facilitated the search for a new pastor and in 2017, he was overjoyed when his current Pastor, Jason M. Moseley accepted the invitation. His faithful commitment to biblical teachings and Godly love inspired many.
Little did he know 1960 would be more than a relocation to a big city but would change his life forever. Shirley (Ann) which was his lovely niece had plans for James, an introduction of a close family friend that also lived in the area along with attending Aijalon Baptist Church her name was Gwendolyn (Gwen) Lively. Gwen became the love of his life especially after his mother told him that she was crazy about her.
In October 1961, James and Gwen were united in holy matrimony in her family home surrounded by love from Gwen’s mother (Bertha Lively Pruitt), her triplets siblings Gloria and Malcolm along with James extended family members that supported this courtship from the beginning. To this union two children were born: Deborah Yvonne and James Kenneth. He taught them the importance of being principled, hardworking, loving the Lord and humanity.
The same year he began working and remained committed for thirty-six-years with Ford Motor Company. He worked his way from being an assembly line worker to Quality Control Inspector. James was so loyal to the company that he would only purchase Ford vehicles and always made jokes about anyone that purchased anything other than a Ford product.
After retiring in 1998, he worked for the City of Detroit Neighborhood Department and served as the neighborhood president of the 3300 Beatrice Street block club. James was responsible for visiting Detroit communities to assist residents, and block clubs with their beautification efforts.
For three decades, James and next-door neighbor and friend Archie Kelly partnered to create and manage food gardens in both Detroit (3300 block of Beatrice St.) and in Romulus, Michigan. They grew all types of vegetables and often gave away food to family and friends. He also volunteered with Southwest Detroit’s neighborhood CB patrol to assist with efforts to keep the neighborhood safe.
James also enjoyed fishing, hunting, attending sporting events and enjoyed traveling south to visit family and friends in Mississippi. As he traveled the highway, James often used his CB Radio to communicate with truckers and other drivers.
James was a man of solid character who loved his family. He was trustworthy, a man of his word, and was always willing to do for others when needed. James held a special bond with the children of his late siblings; he was protective of his nieces and nephews, loving them as if they were his own.
James was distinctively known for his sideburns as others would call them 'pipes'. People joked that he visited his barber twice a week because they were always on point.
On Wednesday, February 19, 2025, the Lord called James from labor to rest. At eighty-eight years old, James lived a full life and did it his way. A remarkable man, James touched so many people, leaving each with wonderful memories.
As someone who lived a life worth celebrating, James received a jubilant welcome home from his beloved parents, seven siblings (in-laws), and grandson, who preceded him death: siblings: Eva Loise Smith (RJ); Nancy Lee Jones; Louise Banks (Cluster); Warene Prather (Flynn); Forrest Edward; Oliver Mitchell (Mary Irene); Lucain H. Mitchell; two sisters-in-law: Catherine Collins and Gloria A. Pruitt (Clarence); and grandson, Keyon D. Edwards.
James leaves behind several loved ones to cherish his memory: a loving and devoted wife of nearly sixty-four years, Gwendolyn Edwards; daughter, Deborah Y. Edwards; son, James K. Edwards, Sr.; grandson, James K. Edwards, Jr.; sister-in-law, Jeannie Mitchell of Falkner, Mississippi.; and brother-in-law, Malcolm Lively (Yvonne); a niece, who was more like a sister and best friend, Shirley Ann Wilson; special ‘grandchildren’, Jonathan K. Kitchen and Jamila C. Kitchen, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his Aijalon Baptist Church family.
What’s your fondest memory of James?
What’s a lesson you learned from James?
Share a story where James' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with James you’ll never forget.
How did James make you smile?